This disclosure describes, inter alia, materials, devices, kits and methods that may be used to treat chronic sinusitis.

A middle ear prosthesis coupling member is described that includes a transducer coupling element adapted for coupling to a mechanical signal transducer, and an ossicle fastener coupled to the transducer coupling element and adapted for secure attachment to the short process of the incus ossicle of a patient middle ear. The ossicle fastener includes parallel separated first and second fastener clips. Each fastener clip has two opposing bendable legs adapted for forming an interior region for receiving the short process of the incus ossicle and a relieved opening between opposing leg ends displaceably providing access for the incus ossicle to the interior region. The fastener clips securely enclose the short process of the incus ossicle within the interior region. The first fastener clip is adapted for exerting a force to pull the ossicle fastener toward the short process of the incus ossicle. The second fastener clip is adapted for holding the ossicle fastener in place over lateral movement on the short process of the incus ossicle only and without substantially exerting a force to pull the ossicle fastener toward the short process of the incus ossicle.

A middle ear prosthesis coupling member is described that includes a transducer coupling element adapted for coupling to a mechanical signal transducer, and an ossicle fastener coupled to the transducer coupling element and adapted for secure attachment to the short process of the incus ossicle of a patient middle ear. The ossicle fastener includes parallel separated first and second fastener clips. Each fastener clip has two opposing bendable legs adapted for forming an interior region for receiving the short process of the incus ossicle and a relieved opening between opposing leg ends displaceably providing access for the incus ossicle to the interior region. The fastener clips securely enclose the short process of the incus ossicle within the interior region. The first fastener clip is adapted for exerting a force to pull the ossicle fastener toward the short process of the incus ossicle. The second fastener clip is adapted for holding the ossicle fastener in place over lateral movement on the short process of the incus ossicle only and without substantially exerting a force to pull the ossicle fastener toward the short process of the incus ossicle.

A device for use in the repair of an ear drum in a subject in need of such treatment, said device: having a tensile strength Youngs Modulus between approximately 12.5 and 40 MPa; comprising one or more membrane layers, wherein at least one membrane layer comprises a plurality of pores; and wherein the device can support proliferation, migration and/or adhesion of cells selected from the group comprising at least any one or more of: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells, mucosal epithelial cells, and stem cells.

A device for use in the repair of an ear drum in a subject in need of such treatment, said device: having a tensile strength Youngs Modulus between approximately 12.5 and 40 MPa; comprising one or more membrane layers, wherein at least one membrane layer comprises a plurality of pores; and wherein the device can support proliferation, migration and/or adhesion of cells selected from the group comprising at least any one or more of: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells, mucosal epithelial cells, and stem cells.

A system includes an interface assembly and electronic circuitry. The interface assembly is configured to receive DC power and a self-clocking differential signal comprising a data signal encoded with a clock signal at a clock frequency. The electronic circuitry is configured to recover, from the self-clocking differential signal, the data signal and the clock signal at the clock frequency, and to generate, based on the recovered clock signal at the clock frequency, a synthesized clock signal at a carrier frequency. The electronic circuitry is also configured to use the synthesized clock signal to wirelessly transmit, to an implantable stimulator implanted within a recipient, AC power based on the DC power and forward telemetry data based on the recovered data signal. Corresponding systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

Presented herein are techniques for stimulating a balance prosthesis recipient based on one or more motion signals and a classification of the type of activity in which the recipient is currently participating. More specifically, a balance prosthesis system is configured to monitor the motion of at least part of a recipient's body and to determine an activity classification for the recipient (e.g., determine the “class” or “category” of the recipient's real-time motion). The recipient's motion and the activity classification are used to generate stimulation signals for delivery to the recipient.

There is provided herein a bone anchored implant that is used to support a nasal prosthesis in patients with a missing external nose. The implant consists of central section (which is preferably generally triangular) suspended within the aperture of the nasal cavity by four fixation arms which extend radially to engage the surrounding maxillary bone. The triangular portion may support three fixation points, one at each corner of the triangular portion, which in turn, directly engage the nasal prosthesis either via magnets or mechanical locking interface. Extending radially from the triangular section, the four fixation arms may flatten to a clover leaf arrangement of three apertures which accommodate micro-screws that secure the implant to the surrounding maxillary bone.

There is provided herein a bone anchored implant that is used to support a nasal prosthesis in patients with a missing external nose. The implant consists of central section (which is preferably generally triangular) suspended within the aperture of the nasal cavity by four fixation arms which extend radially to engage the surrounding maxillary bone. The triangular portion may support three fixation points, one at each corner of the triangular portion, which in turn, directly engage the nasal prosthesis either via magnets or mechanical locking interface. Extending radially from the triangular section, the four fixation arms may flatten to a clover leaf arrangement of three apertures which accommodate micro-screws that secure the implant to the surrounding maxillary bone.

A system and method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and the distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when the tubular element is located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. Other embodiments are disclosed.